— Wang Wei Fresh rain washed the mountains bare, Autumn permeates evening air. Among pine trees bright moonbeams peer; Over crystal stones flows water clear. Bamboos whisper of washer-maids; Lotus stirs when fishing boat wades. Though fragrant spring may pass away, Still here’s the place for noble souls to stay.
— Wang Wei I follow the Blue Rill To the Stream of Yellow Blooms. It winds from hill to hill Till far away it looms. It roars amid pebbles white And calms down under pines green. Weeds float on ripples light, Reeds mirrored like a screen. Mind’s carefree, alone; The clear stream flows with…
— Zu Yong How steep and fair the shady ridge! Snow-crowned peaks float above the cloud. The forest’s bright in sunset dyed, With evening cold the town’s overflowed.
–Meng Haoran For miles and miles I sail and float; High famed mountains are hard to seek. By riverside I moor my boat, Then I perceive the Censer Peak. Knowing the Monk Yuan’s life and way, I love his solitary dell. His hermitage not far away, I hear at sunset but the bell.
— Meng Haoran This spring morning in bed I’m lying, Not to awake till birds are crying. After one night of wind and showers, How many are the fallen flowers! Note: This quatrain reveals the poet’s love of spring and his regret of her departure. 春晓 –[唐]孟浩然 春眠不觉晓， 处处闻啼鸟。 夜来风雨声， 花落知多少。
From afar, the mountains show their hue;Up close, the stream no sound does brew.Spring departs, yet flowers still stay;Men approach, but birds won’t stray.
The story of Cao Cao killing Lü Boshe took place in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, during the time when Dong Zhuo held absolute power. Dong Zhuo deposed Emperor Shao, installed Emperor Xian, declared himself Chancellor, and secretly plotted to seize the Han throne. Determined to eliminate Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao once drew his…
“Huaguzi” in Strange Tales from Liaozhai recounts a love story between a human and a supernatural being (a woman transformed from a musk deer spirit), filled with fantastical elements and profound moral symbolism.
An Youyu, an outstanding scholar from Shaanxi, was generous and loyal to his friends. He also loved to free captive animals. When he saw hunters capturing animals or birds, he would not hesitate to buy the game and set it free.